Spontaneous release of immunoreactive neuropeptide Y from the central terminals of large diameter primary afferents of rats with peripheral nerve injury.
Microprobes bearing immobilized antibodies to the C-terminus of neuropeptide Y were used to measure the release of this neuropeptide in the spinal cords of rats with a unilateral peripheral neuropathy and in sham-operated animals. All neuropathic animals showed the characteristic behavioural syndrome and were studied at 14 days postsciatic nerve loose-ligation. An extensive spontaneous release of immunoreactive neuropeptide Y was detected in the spinal cords of the neuropathic rats and, compared to sham-operated rats, a new zone of release was found in the deep dorsal horn. Electrical stimulation of large diameter primary afferents proximal to the nerve ligature produced widespread release of neuropeptide Y in the dorsal horn which persisted for up to 1 h poststimulation. It is possible that ectopic impulses arising in the injured nerve were responsible for the spontaneous central release of neuropeptide Y and this neuropeptide may play a role in the central response to peripheral nerve injury.
Mark
M A
MA
Department of Preclinical Veterinary Sciences, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, U.K.
Colvin
L A
LA
Duggan
A W
AW
D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007478:Iontophoresis; D008297:Male; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D009478:Neuropeptide Y